Aquaponics combines fish farming (aquaculture) with soilless plant cultivation (hydroponics) in a closed-loop ecosystem. Fish waste provides natural fertiliser for plants, while plant roots filter the water clean for the fish β creating a sustainable, symbiotic food production system.
Key Facts
- Combines fish and plant production in one recirculating system
- Fish waste converted by bacteria into plant-available nitrogen
- Plants naturally filter and clean water returned to fish tanks
- Produces two food streams β fish protein and fresh vegetables
- Uses up to 90% less water than traditional farming
- No synthetic fertilisers required; fish waste replaces them
- Requires careful balance of fish load, plant mass, and bacterial colony